^{TROOP 96}
Co-sponsored by Vietnam Veterans of America Big Bend Chapter 96
and American Legion Sauls-Bridges Post 13

241 Lake Ella Drive
Tallahassee, Florida 32303-5572
 
 

HISTORY:  Troop 96 was chartered in February 1995, with Vietnam Veterans of America, Big Bend Chapter 96 as its organizational sponsor.  In its annual re-charter in March 1997, American Legion Sauls-Bridges Post 13 was added as co-sponsor.

MEETINGS:  The full troop meets at 7:00 p.m. every Wednesday night except the last Wednesday of each month.  At 7:00 p.m. on the last Wednesday of each month, the patrol leader council meets.  The troop committee meets at 7:00 p.m on the first Wednesday of each month.  All meetings are held at the Vietnam Veterans of America Big Bend Chapter 96 meeting hall, the Hootch.  The Hootch and the American Legion Hall next door are situated on beautiful downtown Lake Ella, the walking and jogging epicenter of Tallahassee... day and night (the lake is lighted and is "open" 24 hours a day).

CAMPING:  Camping is the troop's favorite activity and we try to do it every month.  As it has worked out so far, we actually camp at least ten times a year... one or two planned events may succumb to bad weather or inavailability of key personnel.

JOINING:  Boys 11 years old, completed 5th grade, or completed Cub Scout Arrow of Light, are eligible to join.  The first year's membership fee is $27.00.  The fee covers the subscription fee for Boy's Life, red Boy Scout shoulder epaulet tabs, and basic patches including a patrol patch and troop numerals.  Troop leaders will hold a "crossing over" ceremony at the Indian Mounds at Lake Jackson for any Weblos Den that wishes to enroll in Troop 96 en masse.  The Troop conducts several fund raising projects during the year. Scouts who participate sufficiently in these projects earn a portion of the proceeds for their own "scout accounts" money from which they can use for any scouting purpose, and their subsequent membership renewals are paid by the troop.  Effective with rechartering in March 2001, the Troop added Venture Crew 96 as an additional Scouting program.  Venture Crew 96 is open to both male and female crew members.

COMMUNICATION:  The troop can best be reached by mail through the committee member, Richard White, at Post Office Box 20425, Tallahassee, FL 32316-0425, or by email at: rw@pone.com.  Our scoutmaster/crew leader, David Hamilton, can be contacted at David Hamilton davidchamilton@aol.com or by telephone at (850) 562-0610.